Dialysis bag effluent drainage device

ABSTRACT

A support device for supporting a pliable bag includes a first crossbar extending from a first end assembly, a second crossbar extending from a second end assembly to adjustably engage the first crossbar, and a bag holder engaged with either of the first and second crossbars to receive and support a pliable bag.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a drainage device, and moreparticularly to a support device for supporting a dialysis bag duringdrainage of the bag.

Acute renal failure occurs when high levels of uremic toxins accumulatein the blood causing the rapid breakdown of renal functions. Oftentimes,acute renal failure is treated by providing a patient with continuousblood filtration, which is sometimes done in conjunction with dialysatefluid. Such treatment removes urea and enhances fluid exchange,acid-base homeostasis, and electrolyte balance.

During the above-described treatment, waste products, often referred toas effluent, are removed from the patient and collected in a heavyweightplastic bag having a pair of spouts. As can be readily appreciated, theplastic bag, also referred to as a dialysis bag, needs to beperiodically emptied of the effluent during the course of the treatment.Currently, the process for emptying a dialysis bag includes clampingboth spouts, carrying the bag to a toilet, unclamping the spouts, andallowing the effluent to passively discharge from the bag into thetoilet while manually holding the bag above the toilet.

The above-described process for emptying a dialysis bag is problematicdue to the imprecise discharge of effluent from the dialysis bag, whichcan cause effluent to miss entry into the toilet thereby contaminatingthe area surrounding the toilet. Furthermore, valuable nurse time islost due to the need to manually hold the dialysis bag above the toiletduring drainage, which can take several minutes. Moreover, as dialysisbags can weigh several pounds, it is oftentimes difficult for a personto hold a dialysis bag over a toilet during drainage of the effluent.

Therefore, what is needed is a support device for supporting a dialysisbag during drainage of the effluent from the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art drainage method.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support device according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bag holder of the support device ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end portion of the support device ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the end portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support device of FIG. 2 in analternative position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative support device accordingto another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the current method for emptying a dialysis bag 10requires a nurse 12 to manually hold the bag above a toilet 14 duringdrainage of effluent 16 from the bag. As can be readily appreciated,manual support of the bag 10 is imprecise, which can cause the effluent16 to miss entry into the toilet 14 during drainage. As a result, theportion of effluent 16 that does not enter the toilet 14 can contaminatethe vicinity of the toilet as is generally depicted by a plurality ofunsanitary regions 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a support device is generally referred to byreference numeral 20 and is shown, for the purpose of example, in usefor supporting a dialysis bag 22 during drainage of effluent 24 from thebag into a toilet 25. The dialysis bag 22 includes a pair of spouts 26and 27, which are adapted to be opened when drainage of the bag isdesired. Although the support device 20 will be described with referenceto supporting the dialysis bag 22, it is understood that the supportdevice is contemplated for use with a variety of pliable bags that mayrequire drainage.

In one embodiment, the support device 20 includes a pair of crossbars 28and 30, which extend substantially horizontally from a pair of endassemblies 32 and 34, respectively. The end assemblies 32 and 34 areadapted to rest on a pair of fixed bars 36 and 38, respectively, as willbe further described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The crossbar 28 isadapted to removably engage the crossbar 30 such that the crossbars 28and 30 cooperate to span variable lengths as will be further describedwith reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The crossbar 28 supports a bag holder 40, which is generally T-like inshape to include a bottom portion 42 for engaging the crossbar 28 and atop portion 44 for receiving the dialysis bag 22. In one embodiment, thebag holder 40 is positioned substantially transverse to the crossbar 28.Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom portion 42 of the bag holder 40 includesan integrally formed retainer 46, which defines a channel 48 forreceiving the crossbar 28. To aid in the retention of the bag holder 40to the crossbar 28, a screw 50 may be disposed through the retainer 46to engage the crossbar 28. Thus, the horizontal position of the bagholder 40 relative to the crossbar 28 can be manipulated by looseningthe screw 50 and sliding the bag holder 40 on the crossbar 28.

Additional retainers, such as retainer 52, may be integrally formed withthe bottom portion 42 of the bag holder 40 to provide for adjustabilityof the bag holder 40 in the vertical direction relative to the crossbar28. Furthermore, a top 54 of the additional retainer 52 provides a stopfor the crossbar 28 in the vertically downward direction, which furthersecures the crossbar 28 to the bag holder 40. It is understood that anyadditional retainers, such as the retainer 52, are substantially similarto the retainer 46. Furthermore, a flange 56 may extend from the distalend of the bottom portion 42 to provide a stop for the crossbar 28 whendisposed in a distally disposed retainer (represented by the retainer 52in FIG. 3).

The top portion 44 of the bag holder 40 is elongated relative to thebottom portion 42 and includes a pair of hooks 58 and 60, whichcorrespond to a pair of holes (not shown) formed through the dialysisbag 22 (FIG. 2). Thus, the hooks 58 and 60 are adapted to receive andretain the dialysis bag. In one embodiment, the hooks 58 and 60 areadjustable in the horizontal direction to accommodate dialysis bagshaving varied orientations of holes formed therein.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the crossbar 28 engages the crossbar 30 viaa conventional slotted connection 61. As such, a pair of screws 62 and64 are disposed through a pair of holes (not shown) formed in thecrossbar 28 to engage a pair of slots 66 and 68, respectively, disposedthrough the crossbar 30, thereby coupling the crossbar 28 to thecrossbar 30. It is understood that a fastener (not shown) may be used tosecure each of the screws 62 and 64 to the crossbar 28. Furthermore, aplurality of spaced apart holes, such as holes 70 and 72, may bedisposed through the crossbar 28 to accommodate the screws 62 and 64,which provides for the crossbar 28 to be connected to the crossbar 30 ata plurality of locations along the crossbar 28. Thus, the crossbar 28 isadjustable in a horizontal direction relative to the crossbar 30,thereby allowing the crossbars 28 and 30 to span variable lengths.

As discussed previously, the crossbars 28 and 30 are each attached attheir distal ends to a pair of end assemblies 32 and 34, respectively.With reference to end assembly 34, the crossbar 30 connects to the endassembly 34 via a swivel pin 74 such that the crossbar 30 can pivotrelative to the end assembly 34. The swivel pin 74 may be riveted at itsdistal end to retain it in place. The distal end of the crossbar 30 isformed to substantially surround the swivel pin 74 between a head 76 ofthe swivel pin and a flange portion 78 extending from the end assembly34. Thus, by providing a swivel connection between the crossbar 30 andthe end assembly 34, the crossbar 30 can be oriented in a number ofpositions relative to the end assembly 34.

The end assembly 34 includes a base 80, which links the flange 78 to apair of clasps 82 and 84. The clasps 82 and 84 are adapted to removablyengage the fixed bar 38, thereby providing support for the end assembly34. In one embodiment, the bar 38 is a handlebar that complies with theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for use with an ADA approvedtoilet. It is understood that the end assembly 32 is substantiallysimilar to the end assembly 34, and is therefore adapted to removablyengage another fixed bar such as the fixed bar 36 (FIG. 2). Thus, thesupport device 20 spans the length between the fixed bars 36 and 38while maintaining a spaced relation from the toilet 25.

In operation and referring to FIG. 2, the support device 20 is assembledby selecting the desired length of the support device and engaging thecrossbar 28 with the crossbar 30 via the slotted connection 61. The endassemblies 32 and 34 are then engaged with the fixed bars 36 and 38,which pivots the crossbars 28 and 30 to a desired orientation over thetoilet 25. The dialysis bag 22 is then positioned on the support device20 by hanging the dialysis bag on the hooks 58 and 60 (FIG. 3) extendingfrom the bag holder 40. Upon placing the dialysis bag 22 on the supportdevice 20, the dialysis bag is ready to be drained by conventionallyopening the spouts 26 and 27 of the dialysis bag.

The support device 20 provides a substantially rigid support that isadapted for use with toilets equipped with conventional ADA handlebars.The benefits of the support device 20 are multifold. First, by providinga substantially fixed support device 20 for holding the dialysis bag 22,spillage problems associated with imprecise manual drainage are avoided.Furthermore, by using the support device 20 to empty the dialysis bag22, the nurse, or other person, usually in charge of emptying thedialysis bag avoids the stress and ultimate injury that can result fromholding the heavy dialysis bag over the toilet 25. Still further, thesupport device 20 allows the nurse to attend to other matters, such ascaring for the patient, during emptying of the dialysis bag 22, which isnot permitted by current drainage methods. Moreover, contamination ofthe spouts 26 and 27 of the dialysis bag 22 is avoided as the supportdevice 20 ensures that the dialysis bag 22 will not touch the waterwithin the toilet 25.

It is understood that the support device 20 is contemplated for use witha variety of alternatively-oriented bars. For example, and referring nowto FIG. 6, the support device 20 is disposed on a pair of substantiallyparallel bars 86 and 88. Thus, the support device 20 is adaptable foruse with a variety of bar orientations.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have beendescribed in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many other modifications are possible without materiallydeparting from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. Forexample, the support device 20 is not limited to having a pair ofcrossbars. Rather, one crossbar may be disposed between the endassemblies 32 and 34 without departing from the scope of the invention.Alternatively, a plurality of crossbars may be disposed between the endassemblies 32 and 34.

Furthermore, the connection between the crossbars 28 and 30 is notlimited to the slotted connection 61. Rather, referring to FIG. 7,various other adjustable connections are contemplated such as atelescoping connection in which a support device 90 includes a pair ofcrossbars 92 and 94 that are secured to one another via a bag holder 96.The crossbars 92 and 94 may be cylindrical rods having differentdiameters to allow the crossbar 94 to receive the crossbar 92 in atelescoping arrangement. Of course, it is understood that the crossbar92 may be arranged to receive the crossbar 94. The crossbars 92 and 94include a plurality of bores 98 and 100, respectively, such that thecrossbars may be adjusted to a desired length and then secured to oneanother by inserting a connector member 102 of the bag holder 96 througha pair of aligned bores corresponding to the desired length. Uponinsertion of the connector member 102, a pair of cotter pins 104 may beused to secure the bag holder 96 to the support device 90.

Still further, the connection between the crossbars 28 and 30 and theend assemblies 32 and 34, respectively, may be accomplished in a varietyof manners other than via a swivel pin. As an example, the crossbars 28and 30 may include a groove for receiving a portion of the endassemblies 32 and 34, respectively. A rod may then be inserted toconnect the crossbars 28 and 30 to the end assemblies 32 and 34,respectively, which allows for pivotal movement of the crossbarsrelative to the end assemblies. The rod may then be secured relative tothe crossbars 28 and 30 and the end assemblies 32 and 34, respectively,via a pair of cotter pins.

Furthermore, the end assemblies 32 and 34 may engage the bars 36 and 38,respectively, in a variety of manners. For example, a fixed connectionmay be desired in which the end assemblies 32 and 34 are fastened to thebars 36 and 38, respectively.

Accordingly, all such modifications, and any further modifications, areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe following claims.

1. A support device for supporting a pliable bag, comprising: a firstcrossbar extending from a first end assembly; a second crossbarextending from a second end assembly, the second crossbar beinglongitudinally adjustably engaged with the first crossbar; and a bagholder engaged with one of the first and second crossbars, the bagholder being adapted to receive and support a pliable bag thereon. 2.The support device of claim 1 wherein the first end assembly engages afirst support member and the second end assembly engages a secondsupport member.
 3. The support device of claim 1 wherein engagement ofthe bag holder with either of the first and second crossbars positionsthe bag holder above a toilet.
 4. The support device of claim 1 whereinthe first crossbar extends substantially horizontally from the first endassembly.
 5. The support device of claim 1 wherein the second crossbarextends substantially horizontally from the second end assembly.
 6. Thesupport device of claim 1 wherein the bag holder is positionedsubstantially transverse to one of the first and second crossbars. 7.The support device of claim 1 wherein the bag holder is a T-barcomprising a pair of hooks for receiving a pliable bag.
 8. The supportdevice of claim 1 wherein the first crossbar is engaged with the secondcrossbar via a slotted connection.
 9. The support device of claim 8wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the first crossbar wherebythe first crossbar is longitudinally adjustable relative to the secondcrossbar.
 10. The support device of claim 1 wherein the first crossbaris pivotally connected to the first end assembly.
 11. The support deviceof claim 10 wherein the first crossbar is connected to the first endassembly via a swivel pin.
 12. The support device of claim 1 wherein thesecond crossbar is pivotally connected to the second end assembly. 13.The support device of claim 12 wherein the second crossbar is connectedto the second end assembly via a swivel pin.
 14. The support device ofclaim 1 comprising a pliable bag wherein the pliable bag is a dialysisbag.
 15. A support device for supporting a pliable bag in a spacedrelation from a toilet, comprising: means for providing a substantiallyhorizontal support above the toilet; means for securing the horizontalsupport to a pair of fixed bars disposed adjacent to the toilet; andmeans for supporting a pliable bag on the horizontal support to positiona pliable bag above the toilet.
 16. The support device of claim 15comprising a pliable bag wherein the pliable bag is a dialysis bag. 17.The support device of claim 16 wherein the horizontal support isadjustable.
 18. A support device for supporting a pliable bag,comprising: a first crossbar extending from a first end assembly; asecond crossbar extending from a second end assembly, the secondcrossbar being longitudinally adjustably engaged with the first crossbarin a telescoping arrangement; and a bag holder engaged with both thefirst and second crossbars to secure the first and second crossbars toone another and wherein the bag holder is adapted to receive and supporta pliable bag thereon.
 19. The support device of claim 18 wherein thefirst and second crossbars are cylindrical rods.
 20. The support deviceof claim 18 wherein the bag holder is secured to the first and secondcrossbars via a pair of cotter pins.
 21. A method for supporting apliable bag during drainage of the pliable bag into a toilet,comprising: providing a support device for engaging a pair of fixedbars, the support device being positioned above the toilet; placing apliable bag on the support device whereby the support device supportsthe pliable bag; and opening a spout of the pliable bag to drain thepliable bag.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the support device isadjustable.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein the pliable bag is adialysis bag.